Military museums, RAF, army etc

[Ignition Override]

My wife and are starting to read about sights for our trip to England this summer. Wish we had time for other areas of Britain or Ireland.

Anyway, besides wanting to take my family to see London plus some attractive sights west and northwest of there (i.e. Stonehenge, Sal. Cathedral, Cotswolds, Warwick Castle...) we wouldn't mind seeing either the Imperial War Museum or another. Is there a very good museum in southeast England featuring various army relics from WW1 and 2 (young son prefers army, whereas I prefer aviation exhibits), or would the Imperial W. M. have good exhibits from the ground and air operations?:confused:

[Oggin Aviator]

The Fleet Air Arm Museum is always worth a visit.

Its at RNAS Yeovilton on the A303 just 30 minutes or so west of Stonehenge. Website is here. (http://www.fleetairarm.com/indexFlash.htm)

Lots of naval and non naval aeroplanes, the "carrier" experience, a Concorde etc etc.

If you go on a weekday you can also watch the jets and helicopters going about their business on the airfield from an enclosed viewing area at the edge of the museum. I would recommend it. Hendon is also very good.

Oggin

[BEagle]

If you want to see Army machinery, there's the excellent Bovington Tank Museum. It's an easy trip from Salisbury - only 41 miles south west down the A354 towards Weymouth.

See http://www.tankmuseum.co.uk/home.html for more details. Lots of tanks and militaria - all in an excellent setting. But there's a shop as well - so your young son will want you to convert all your dollars into model tanks if you're not careful!

Certainly take in the Fleet Air Arm museum at Yeovilton; once you've been to Bovington, it's another 41 miles north west to Yeovilton; once you've finished there it's only 45 miles east back to Salisbury!

[Mr C Hinecap]

IMHO, I'd forget the Cotswolds. Unless you want to spy on a Secret Oxon Airbase and trundle around a large number of antique shops. Perhaps I am biased, but there is not much more there. Apart from the bright lights of Carterton!

[BEagle]

Wretched peasant! The Cotswolds are glorious, particularly west of the Fosse Way. Gentle rolling hills, lots of little villages and pubs to visit...

You can keep 'the bright lights' with their groups of sullen yoofs hanging around...

[The Nr Fairy]

If you visit Stonehenge, then the Museum of Army Flying (http://www.flying-museum.org.uk/) is just down the road at Middle Wallop, just off the main road from London to Stonehenge.

[whowhenwhy]

I think I'm right in saying that the Imperial War Museum not only has its site in central London but also owns the rather fantastic musuem at Duxford which is full to bursting with ac old and new. Haven't they got an SR-71?? You've also got the RAF Museum at Hendon which is definately worth a visit. Have fun :ok:

[xyz_pilot]

Hi

The main part of the Imperial war museum is in south east London, its main aviation collection is at Duxford, about 30 miles up the M11 going north east from London towards Cambridge. It has lots of military aircraft and a collection or airlines (Inc a Conc). It also has a good collection of fighting vehicles.

p.s. when you are in London do go on the BA Eye the view is well worth the money. It’s a good thing to do on day one to get a perspective on the city.

[maninblack]

Here is one that is interesting and different.

Airborne Forces Museum
RHQ The Parachute Regiment
Browning Barracks
Aldershot
Hampshire
GU11 2BU

Tel: 01252 349 619

You can't miss it as there is a great big C47 and a filed gun paked outside.

[Bluejay]

Would like to add my recommendation for Duxford, absolutly fantastic, lots to do and see (civil & military a/c, restoration, American Air Museum, Land warfare exhibition to mention a few) and almost always expanding. I first went there when I was about 13 and always enjoy going back.

Hendon , I have not been there in a fair while but from what I remember that was very good as well

The Airborne Museum at Aldershot is also very good.

Not sure how long you are over for but quite a bit further North there is another museum at RAF Cosford, loads of aircraft (civil and military) worth a visit if you have the time

[BEagle]

Don't forget to pop in to the Shuttleworth collection www.shuttleworth.org as well if you're heading for Duxford! Preferably on a display day! If you do, you might well meet Airbedane!

[bluetail]

Similarly, don,t forget Cosford in the Midlands, some excellent exhibits, and easy to get to, even by Train would you believe.

It captures everything from WWI to modern stuff, and has a brilliant WW2 Rocket Collection.

M6 to Birmingham, M54 and follow the signposts for the museum at the A41 near Albrighton.

Good gizzit shop, food iffi though.

[Jerry Can]

The Royal Marines Museum in Southsea is excellent.

Nothing to do with aeroplanes but very good nonetheless.

[Ignition Override]

What a response! Thanks to all for the various tips. I've been twice for very short stays in London plus a few quick looks outside in '73. We might visit two museums, because "she" has a very well-trained eye for authentic antique objects and true Meissen etc (stayed in Meissen an der Elbe).

Wish we had more than eight days or so total. Will get a car for when we leave London (not inside it!:ugh: ).:)

[Lukeafb1]

Ignition,

I don't think anyone else has commented, but you mention that you want to see Stonehenge.

Be prepared to be very disappointed!! Its small, lacks (proper) tourist facilities and the car park is inadequate. Additionally, the management have placed a barrier round the whole site which will keep you 50 yards from the stones themselves.

Hope your trip is a success.

[williamp]

There is also several small museums in kent, SE of London.

Most have parts from aircraft dug up during the battle of Britain or later. As I'm local, I find them all very interesting:

Lashenden, near Headcorn
Manston, near Ramsgate
Hawkinge near Folkestone

also the take of site between Dover and St. margarets of the first cross-channel flight by Louis Bleriot

[4fitter]

Ignition Overide

Whilst visiting the Airborne Museum in Aldershot, you can pop round the corner and visit the British Army Museum. Loads of green things. Well signposted throughout Aldershot

[Bletchley]

If you can get to Lincolnshire go to:

East Kirkby RAF Museum
http://www.spilsby.info/things/aviation/aviation.htm (http://)
East Kirkby was the home of 57 and 630 Squadrons. It is also a 'haunted' airfield with many sightings both during the day and at night.

Also try:-

Thorpe Camp
www.97-squadron.co.uk/id19.htm (http://)

Remember that Woodhall Spa was the later home to 617 (Dambuster) Squadron.

I have a personal interest in that many of my WW2 RAF Bomber Crew uniforms and other Bomber Command items are on display there.

There is also a fully restore WW2 Fighter Sector Operations room at RAF Digby:-

www.airops.freeserve.co.uk/digbyops/index.htm (http://)


Sorry but I have discoverd that the links do not appear to work but if you tye them into your browser I am sure you will find them. If not PM me.

[sphealey]

Don't forget RAF Hendon:

http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/hendon/index.cfm

Relatively small, but a reasonable tube ride from central London.

sPh

[Gainesy]

In London, HMS Belfast WWII cruiser parked on the Thames next to Tower Bridge & the Tower of London. Those three alone could fill a day.

The Tower of London has an amazing collection of medieval armour & weapons.

Oh, and some of Aunty Betty's jewelry.

[whowhenwhy]

Don't know if you're still fishing for tips IO but if CinC Home Command wants to see a museum take her to the British Museum but set aside a day for it. It's HUGE and by the time she's finished with it she won't want to see another antiquities museum for the rest of your stay.